I rub two fingers, hard, over my left eyebrow. The throbbing has become intense. "It doesn't matter," I say.
Hannah Baker, age 17, committed suicide. She was a smart, beautiful girl, full of life and potential, but a victim of bullying and harassing behavior. The rumors snowballed and eventually took control of her life. Now she's dead. But before she died, she recorded seven cassette tapes to reveal the names of the people responsible for her death. Each side of a cassette reveals someone that led Hannah to her suicide: the Baker's Dozen.
Thirteen people.
The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number two: You pass it on. Hopefully neither one will be easy for you.
Clay Jensen received the box with the cassette tapes, shattering his life. He spends the night listening carefully to her words, following her map through the city. Wondering what did he do it her. Wondering why he hadn't tried harder. Wondering if Hannah could've been saved. Wondering if Hannah ever knew how he felt about her.
Thirteen Reasons Why is a gripping novel. Once you start, you cannot put it down. Hopefully Hannah's story won't be repeated, that you'll also try harder when you see the signs. Eighth grade (and older) students and parents should definitely read this one.
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
* Language, sexual references, rape, drinking
To check this book out at NOLS, click HERE!
